Bakersfield California

Iran lurks behind Gaza conflict - Israel's fight with Hamas in Gaza, like the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon two years ago, is a broader proxy battle between Western allies and Iran for the very future of the Middle East.

Fed sees long-lasting downturn - Federal Reserve officials feared the economy would be stuck in a painful rut for some time despite their decision to slash interest rates to a record low.

U.N.: 36 die in strike near Gaza school
Biden's right at home, Burris denied
Airlines start '09 with wave of sales
Race card lands softly in Burris Senate fight
Death of Travolta s son raises medical queries
Obama: No pork in stimulus bill
Feinstein supports Burris' bid for Senate seat
Rare pink iguana evaded Darwin
Apple cutting some iTunes prices
Coleman sues over Minnesota Senate recount
Reports: Gupta approached for surgeon general
Jews in Europe targeted over Gaza
Ex-contractor to face charge in Iraq death
Brain pacemaker benefits Parkinson s patients
New appeal in $54 million pants case
Stocks end up slightly after Fed notes release
Diet, not exercise, plays key role in weight loss
Pending home sales hit record low
Onboard innovators: In pursuit of pain-free flying
Aw, snap! It s Colbert & Colmes for a day
Boy, 6, misses bus, tries to drive to school

US NEWS

L.A. water cops get muscle to fight drought
House, Senate convene for 111th Congress
5 Blackwater guards plead not guilty
Ex-contractor to face charge in Iraq death
3 charged in gang rape of Calif. lesbian
Gates pegs '09 war costs at $136 billion
Prosecutor: Ex-Calif. sheriff cheated to get job
Engineer: Ash spill warning signs ignored
Judge: U.S. hiding evidence in detainee case
Ex-aide sentenced in Detroit sex scandal
Lawyer: Phone use gripe preceded train crash
New appeal in $54 million pants case
Ski bum? Bottom bared in lift mishap
Baby's corpse thrown out with hospital's trash
Policeman feared missing arrested in Vegas
Cross-dressing wife-killer found hanged
Boy, 6, misses bus, tries to drive to school
The FBI launches hiring blitz
NYT: Panetta pick for CIA reveals divisions
Richardson, Obama teams trade blame
Obama girls' first day at new school
New Year's in reverse: Ball set to rise

WORLD NEWS

In Gaza fight, Iran lurks in background
Israeli strike kills dozens at Gaza school
Doctors stuck at Gaza border bottleneck
Jews in Europe targeted over Gaza
Falling oil prices squeeze Chavez diplomacy
5 Blackwater guards plead not guilty
Ex-contractor to face charge in Iraq death
Princes William and Harry set up own office
U.S. troops adapt to new rules in Iraq
Zimbabwe cholera death toll tops 1,700
Report: China faces wave of unrest
Billionaire kills himself over financial crisis
Indian airline fires 9 overweight crew members
Europe hit with natural gas shortage
War tactics used against Rio gangs
India: Pakistanis 'must have' backed attack
Afghan cleric shot to death in mosque
'Jealous wife' charged in fatal genitals fire
Stranded sea cow saved by Filipino fishermen

BUSINESS

Stocks end up slightly after Fed notes release
That cheap gasoline? Don t get used to it
Charities hurt in Madoff case get charity
Alcoa to slash 13,500 jobs to save money
How bad is economy? IRS feels sorry for you
Despite actions, Fed sees downturn lasting
Bank of America CEO to skip '08 bonus
Season of savings brings rewards
Social Security unveils new online application
Services sector contraction slows in Dec.
Enron s Skilling loses appeal of conviction
Prosecutor wants Madoff jailed immediately
Newsweek: No economic panacea
Mortgages: What you need to know in 2009
AdBlog: Wake us when it s over
Toyota to suspend car production in Japan
Turn to generics slows 07 health care spending
Oil falls on worries of deepening recession

ENTERTAINMENT

Florida town embraces Travolta during tragedy
Scoop: Britney s tour gets off to shaky start
It s another girl for Garner and Affleck
Travolta family returns to U.S. after autopsy
Chris Pine puts his own spin on Trek s Kirk
Worst Week star Erinn Hayes is pregnant
Charges against Brolin, Wright to be dropped
Michael Jackson leases Bel Air mansion
Swayze faces cancer (and new TV series) bravely
24 ups the ante in Washington, D.C.
Prosecutors to Polanski: All is not forgiven
New Idol judge says men have edge this year
Five ways to turn your film into Oscar bait
Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton found dead
Lohan says it s not over with Ronson
Slide show: The week in celebrity sightings
Craig Ferguson ties the knot over holidays
Alyssa Milano engaged to Hollywood agent
Aw, snap! It s Colbert & Colmes for a day
Rip Torn faces drunken driving charges in Conn.
Amy Winehouse drops drug appeal in Norway
TV listings

SPORTS

BC reportedly to fire Jagodzinski for Jets interview
Carmelo out at least 3 weeks with broken hand
Utah fans united they're No. 1!
Chargers' Jackson arrested on DUI charge
Novacek's picks: Ravens to get revenge vs. Titans
UConn pulls away from No. 25 West Virginia
Marvin Harrison's gun was used in shooting
Mets to meet with Boras about Lowe, Perez
A's, Giambi reportedly close to one-year deal
Report: Pettitte declines Yankees' contract offer
Phillies reliever suspended 50 games for drug
Bode DQ'd from slalom for big ski boots
Brees is voted AP Offensive Player of the Year
Broncos bring in Cowboys Garrett for interview
Walters: Dynasty, coaching legend on line for Meyer
Interactive matchups for BCS title game
Playoff analysis, breakdowns from Tom Curran
Who will cover? We break down latest odds

HEALTH

Brain pacemaker benefits Parkinson s patients
Officials fear rise in monoxide poisonings
Beijing woman dies from bird flu, China says
Death of Travolta s son raises medical queries
Turn to generics slows 07 health care spending
More suffering multiple chronic illnesses
Coffee may protect against oral cancers
Diet, not exercise, plays key role in weight loss
Zimbabwe cholera death toll tops 1,700
Why smokers can't quit easily
Apple's Steve Jobs' condition a 'puzzle'
Work out for less: Shape up and save in 2009
Holes in health care mean teens face future ills
Gene that makes breast cancer spread is found
Newsweek: Using MySpace to help troubled teens
3-D model sheds light on SARS-causing virus
Go green for your health and the planet s
At 19, college swimmer faces mortality
China milk scare in U.S.: Adopted kids tested
WHO confirms 3 Ebola deaths in Congo
Soap operas deliver safe-sex message
Shape up in '09 with a month of fitness tips
When it comes to breasts, three's a crowd

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Cosmic Log: How flying reptiles rose
Researchers make car parts out of coconuts
The games that make seeking so satisfying
Apple cuts iTunes pricing, eases copy protection
Ex-astronaut emerges as NASA prospect
Scorned ex posts vandalism photo on MySpace
Keep the shuttles flying? It ll cost you
Rare pink iguana evaded Darwin
Did Earth's twin cores spark plate tectonics?
Mars trip proposed for space shuttles
Which came first, black holes or galaxies?
Social Security unveils new online application
Motorola phone made from recycled bottles
Gladiators to fight again at Rome s Colosseum
Microsoft: 2008 was 'biggest year ever' for Xbox
Refurbished smartphones could be good bargain

TRAVEL

Onboard innovators: In pursuit of pain-free flying
Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales
Indian airline fires 9 overweight crew members
The fall of green travel
Cool ice-skating rinks in America
Experience Brazil s beauty for as little as $399
Sail to Asia in luxury for a discount
Wallet-friendly getaways to Puerto Rico
Experience luxury at a chic Beverly Hills hotel
JetBlue, TSA pay discrimination settlement
U.S. tourist stabbed in Rome, in critical condition
Unruly passenger delays Moscow-Atlanta flight
Seasoned road warrior shares lessons learned
Trucker's sunset shot voted Photo of the Week
Check out the latest batch of travel photos

WEATHER

L.A. water cops get muscle to fight drought
Video: Two storms slam much of U.S.
Poor in India burn books to stay warm
Video: Snowman towers nearly 2 stories
Europe storm forces Eiffel Tower closure
Laser beams eyed as tools in drought
Wild winter tests Vancouver's Olympics mettle